Caring for Mental Health: When Grief Becomes Something Bigger

Grieving is a normal and healthy response to losing a loved one to death. It is also a normal response to other losses or changes in our lives, such as divorce, birth, a move, a new job, or other significant life transitions. At the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center, we teach those in their grief journey coping skills and bring them comfort. But sometimes grief in combination with other life stressors, prior life traumas, and genetic factors can tip the scales from a normal grief response into diagnosed mental illness.

It can be tricky to tell from the “inside,” as we are experiencing these symptoms, when we may have more than “just” grief. Rest assured; Hosparus Health Grief Counselors are licensed mental health professionals who can help you determine if you are also coping with a mental illness. Although we cannot solely treat mental illness at the Grief Counseling Center, we take a holistic approach to supporting your grief journey and are ready to assist individuals with mental illness who are also grieving. We may also refer you to community providers for mental health counseling and psychiatric medication management when appropriate and it is your preference.

Here are some important facts about mental illness, which you may not be aware of, but is important information that will help you get the care you deserve:

• 1 in 20 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 46.2% of U.S. adults with mental illness received treatment in 2020
• About a quarter of widows and widowers will experience clinical depression and anxiety during the first year of bereavement.
• Caregivers of adults with mental or emotional health issues spend an average of 32 hours per week providing unpaid care
• Adolescents may also experience grief in ways that are both similar to and different than children and adults.  Adolescents may experience significant changes in their sleep patterns, isolate themselves more, frequently appear irritable or frustrated, withdraw from usual activities, or engage more frequently with technology.
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• The average delay between onset of mental illness symptoms and treatment is 11 years

Grieving is the outward expression of your loss, and coping with death is vital to your mental health. Remember, it’s ok to not be ok, and you are always welcome to reach out to the Hosparus Health Grief Counseling Center to confidentially discuss your mental health concerns:

Online contact form: https://hosparushealth.org/contact-us/
Phone: 502-456-5451

Emergencies

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health emergency, call or text 988. .
Do not hesitate or delay, mental health emergencies can be life threatening. You can always apologize later if you think you over-reacted or someone feels embarrassed or their feelings are hurt.